A 32-nation naval partnership

Commander CTF 150 visits Saudi Arabia

Commodore Charles McHardie, Australian Commander for Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 based in Bahrain, recently visited the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) Western Fleet in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a part of an ongoing program of extensive regional engagements.

Commander CTF 150’s visit had a focus on regional maritime security issues and engagement between the RSNF, CTF 150 and the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

Cdre McHardie with Rear Admiral Saeed Al-Zahrani

Commodore McHardie called upon Rear Admiral Saeed Al-Zahrani, the Deputy Commander of the Western Fleet at their Headquarters in Jeddah.

“The RSNF bring a wealth of regional knowledge and experience to the CMF partnership. The success of maritime security and stability operations in the region is reliant upon enhanced cooperation and information sharing relationships like the one that exists between CMF and the RSNF.”

Commodore McHardie’s visit follows on from a recent visit by members of his staff to conduct communications systems and battle-watch familiarisation training at Jeddah Underground Communications Centre.

“I was grateful for the opportunity to work closely with my colleagues in the RSNF during my visit to the Western Fleet,” Lt Steven Christensen from CTF150 said.

“CTF150 has also been conducting familiarisation training for Royal Saudi Navy personnel in Bahrain,” the CTF Commander said.

‘These opportunities are very valuable and provide my staff with the opportunity to benefit from the local knowledge of the RSNF personnel while sharing their experiences of working in a combined headquarters.”

The training conducted by CTF 150 spanned a three week period and involved nine RNSF personnel.

CTF150 is one of three task forces operated by CMF involving 27 nations in the naval partnership.

The CMF mission is to promote security, stability and prosperity across the Arabian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The area encompasses some of the world’s most important shipping lanes.

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Published by Combined Maritime Forces

CMF is a unique multi-national collective of 32 like-minded nations, dedicated to promoting security and free flow of commerce across 3.2 million square miles of international waters in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Somali Basin, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf. CMF’s main focus areas are disrupting terrorism, preventing piracy, reducing illegal activities, and promoting a safe maritime environment for all.
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